He wasn’t scared of death. He was only scared that after he died, he wouldn’t be able to save Jiang Cheng and betray the trust that Jiang FengMian and Madam Yu left him. In such circumstances, the only one he could place his hope on was a person of the Wen Sect whom he had met only three times in total!
Wei WuXian licked his chapped lips, speaking in a dry voice, “… Then… could you… could you help me… take the bodies of Sect Leader Jiang and Madam Yu…”
Without him noticing, he had begun to stammer as well. Before he finished, he remembered that he was still seizing Wen Ning in a threatening posture. He quickly let him go, but he still left himself a way out. If Wen Ning began to run or shout as soon as he let him go, he’d split open Wen Ning’s skull at once. However, Wen Ning only turned around, his voice serious, “I… I’ll try my best.”
Wei WuXian waited, a bit muddleheaded. He walked around at the same spot as he thought, What’s wrong with me? Am I crazy? Why would Wen Ning help me? Why would I trust him? What if he’s lying to me and Jiang Cheng isn’t inside at all? No, what a relief it’d be if Jiang Cheng isn’t inside!
Before half an hour had passed, with someone on his back, Wen Ning really did silently walk outside.
The person was covered in blood. His face was ashen and his eyes were shut, motionless on Wen Ning’s back. It was Jiang Cheng indeed.
Wei WuXian whispered, “Jiang Cheng?! Jiang Cheng?!”
He reached out. Jiang Cheng was still breathing. Wen Ning held out his hand toward Wei WuXian and put something in his palm, “Y-Young Master Jiang’s Zidian. I brought it.”
Wei WuXian didn’t know what else he could say. Remembering that the intent of killing Wen Ning had just crossed his mind, he spoke with hesitation, “… Thank you.”
Wen Ning, “You’re welcome… Mr. Jiang and Madam Jiang’s bodies, I’ve already told people to move them. I’ll pass them to you afterwards. T-This isn’t a good place to stay. First…”
Without needing him to say anything else, Wei WuXian took Jiang Cheng over, wanting to carry him on his own back. Yet, only one glance and he saw the bloody whip wound across Jiang Cheng’s chest.
Wei WuXian, “The discipline whip?!”
Wen Ning, “Mhm. Wen Chao, he got hold of the discipline whip of the Jiang Sect… There should be other injuries on Young Master Jiang as well.”
Wei WuXian only felt around for a couple of times. At least three of Jiang Cheng’s ribs were broken. He didn’t know how many injuries there were that he couldn’t see. Wen Ning continued, “After Wen Chao returns and discovers this, he’ll definitely start searching for you along the Yunmeng area… Young Master Wen, if you believe me, I can first take you to a safe place to hide.”
Right now, Jiang Cheng was heavily injured. He needed medicine and rest urgently, so they definitely couldn’t run around like they had done, not knowing when their next meal would be. The situation that they were in was almost impossibly hopeless. They couldn’t go anywhere. Aside from relying on Wen Ning for support, somehow, Wei WuXian couldn’t think of a single other solution!
The day before, he definitely wouldn’t have expected that he and Jiang Cheng would require the help of a Wen Sect’s disciple to escape, possibly even dying out of the unwillingness to surrender. As of the moment, however, Wei WuXian could only say, “Thanks!”
Wei Ning waved his hands, “There’s… There’s no need. Young Master Wei, walk this way. I-I have a ship…”
Carrying in Jiang Cheng, Wei WuXian found the ship that Wen Ning had hidden beforehand and placed Jiang Cheng within the cabin. Wen Ning first cleaned Jiang Cheng’s wounds and simply applied bandages over some ointment. Watching his familiar movements, Wei WuXian couldn’t help but recall how he was back during the Discussion Conference at Qishan.
The Discussion Conference was the year when Lan WangJi, Lan XiChen, Jin ZiXuan, and he ranked top four in archery.
On that day, before the archery competition began, he was strolling around the Nightless City alone. As he strolled, he passed through a small garden and suddenly heard the sound of a bowstring vibrating from in front of him.
Wei WuXian brushed through the leaves and branches. He saw a boy stand there, dressed in white, soft fabric. He drew a bow in the direction of a target before him and let go.
The side of the boy’s face seemed to be quite handsome. His drawing posture was both standard and beautiful. On the target, feathered arrows had already thickly dotted the red center. This arrow had hit the center as well.
None had been off the center.
Wei WuXian exclaimed, “Bravo!”
After the boy shot the arrow, he took out a new arrow from the quiver behind him. Head lowered, he was about to set it onto his bow as he suddenly heard an unfamiliar voice from toward the side. Surprised, his hands quivered and his arrow fell to the ground. Wei WuXian walked out from behind the garden, grinning, “Which of Wen Sect’s young masters are you? Well, well, beautiful, your shots are amazing. I haven’t seen anyone from your sect with such good…”
Before he could finish, the boy had already disappeared, leaving behind him his bow and arrows.
Wei WuXian was speechless. He felt his chin, Am I really so charming? So charming that I scared him away?
He didn’t take the matter seriously either. He just thought that he saw something cool as he returned to the square. The competition was almost starting. Over on the Wen Sect’s side, there was much clamor. Wei WuXian asked Jiang Cheng, “How could they make such a fuss over their Discussion Conference? They have something going on every single day. What’s happening today?”
Jiang Cheng, “What do you think? The spots are limited. They’re fighting over the people to let into the arena.” After a pause, he continued with disdain, “These Wen Sect’s… archery skills are the same level of bad. Wouldn’t it be the same no matter who goes? What difference would fighting over it make?”
Wen Chao shouted from the side, “Another one! Another one, we’re still short one! The last one!”
Amid the crowd beside him, the white-clothed boy was also there. Looking left and right, he finally raised his hand. But his hand wasn’t raised tall enough. He didn’t dare shout his name like the others did either. After a while of pushing around, somebody finally noticed him, musing, “QiongLin? You want to participate as well?”
The boy called ‘QiongLin’ nodded his head. Somebody else laughed, “I haven’t even seen you pick up a bow. Why do you want to participate?! Don’t waste the spot.”
Wen QiongLin seemed as if he wanted to protest for himself. The person said, “Alright, alright. Don’t be so curious. The rank is recorded. If you go up there and lose your own face it wouldn’t be my problem.”
Wei WuXian, Lose face? If anyone in the QishanWen Sect could find some face for you all, he’d be the one.
The scorn in the person’s voice was too as a matter of course. Wei WuXian wasn’t too pleased. He raised his voice, “Who said that he’s never picked up a bow? He has, and his archery is quite good!”
Everyone looked at him, somewhat surprised. They then turned to look at the boy. Wen QiongLin’s face was rather pale to begin with. Because of how everyone’s eyes centered on him, it immediately became bright red. Those pitch-black eyes stared at Wei WuXian. Wei WuXian walked over, hands behind his back, “Back then, weren’t you doing quite well in the garden?”